Success Story - Milo

Milo

An adoption success story

Are you considering adoption of a JRT from Russell Rescue? We did just that in May of 2009 and want to share our story just in case it will help you in your decision. If you have experience with the breed you are already half way to adopting a great dog. If not, please read all you can about this unique breed before proceeding.

In March of 2009 we lost our Jack Russell to cancer after 13 great years of companionship. It wasn't long before we began to feel we were ready to start looking for another dog. Of course there are plenty of breeders out there and nothing is cuter than a pup but we had heard of the great work that rescues were doing with homeless JRT's. My wife, Barbara, began to look on Russell Rescue's web pages for available dogs. We wanted to give a dog a second chance. We looked and looked and read the descriptions of each dog that were written by RR staff and the foster homes the dogs were kept in. We just weren't sure about this. Suppose the descriptions were not correct. Suppose we didn't get along with the dog. Were we committing to something that we would regret? We had a million questions. If you're taking the time to read this then you also have some questions.

Jack & Barbara with Milo

After several weeks of watching and reading on the Russell Rescue site Barb found two dogs that seemed to "speak" to her, so we filled out an application to adopt. We were immediately impressed with the thorough reviews that were done to ensure that we were qualified to adopt one of these great animals. Our vet reference was checked by phone. A wonderful local volunteer contacted us and made an appointment to visit our home to confirm we had a fenced in yard and to be sure we were in fact a good candidate. From our first contact with the entire organization it was apparent that the well being of their dogs was of the utmost importance. After a few days we were approved for adoption.

We contacted the foster "parents" of the two dogs that seemed to be right for us. Luckily they were both at the same home but it was a great distance from our house. A road trip was needed. We were given extensive support with directions and recommendations as to where to stay for an evening as the trip was longer than we wanted to make in one day. We arrived at the foster home area on a Friday afternoon and the foster "dad" contacted us as soon as he arrived home from work. Within five minutes of our meeting it was apparent that the foster homes of these dogs are full of loving and caring people who want only the best for the dogs. We were instructed as to what to expect as we visited with both of the dogs we thought were right for us. After what probably seemed like a long time we thought we had made our decision. The conversation was non-stop about the breed in general and these two dogs that he and his wife had nursed back to health and had grown to love. We headed back to our room for the night but still weren't sure. The next morning we returned and spent another extended period of time with one of the dogs. We never felt rushed and in fact felt much supported as we made the decision. There was no pressure. The match had to be right for both us and Milo, our new best friend. We decided to adopt him. We received all important documents for him and a promise that the foster "dad" and his wife as well as Russell Rescue would be there for us during the transition to a new home. As we put Milo in our car and prepared to make the trip home it immediately became apparent how much these people loved this and all of their dogs.

It was a long and somewhat stressful trip home for all of us. Little did we know that we would be on the phone to the foster parents within a few days with several questions. Milo behaved exactly as he was described to us both on the web site and while we were at the foster home. Since we had no experience with rescues we had a few questions about how the dog was adjusting to us. Since that time we have been in contact several times with Homer and his wife and they have supported us in every way possible. They still care about this dog and would take him back in a minute if things had not worked out. It took Milo several weeks to adjust and the process went exactly as we were told it would.

As I mentioned earlier Milo has become our best friend, he is a perfect gentleman just as described to us and is just a joy to have in our home. He has blossomed from a quiet, shy dog into this great dog with such a funny, sweet personality. It has been one of the best experiences we have ever been through and we owe a lot to the staff and volunteers of Russell Rescue. When they say that they support forever families with their new adoptions they really mean it. If you think that this might be the right thing to do then please take the chance. Russell Rescue will be there with you every step of the way. Should you wish to contact us for any reason please feel free to email us at: jlebpe@verizon.net Thanks for taking the time to read this and consider rescue.

Jack & Barbara Eppert
Rockledge, Pa.